The Importance of Orientation Planning for Housing to Reduce Thermal Loads in the City of Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Abstract

Solar heat gains and interactions among climate, orientation, and the building envelope influence residential thermal performance in Esmeraldas. This study aimed to analyze the importance of planning housing orientation to reduce thermal loads in the city. A qualitative, non-experimental, exploratory and descriptive documentary review was conducted using inductive reasoning and thematic analysis. Findings identified variations according to building geometry, dwelling position, envelope characteristics, and urban clustering. In a Brazilian study in a subtropical climate, reductions in combined heating and cooling demand reached 22 percent for isolated linear buildings and 8 percent within a residential complex. These results suggest that benefits depend on interactions between construction and environmental conditions, requiring caution when transferring findings to the local context. The study concludes that orientation is a relevant planning criterion when integrated with solar protection, ventilation, and materials, although the evidence does not establish an optimal azimuth or specific savings for Esmeraldas.